Pataskala Presbyterian Church
Why it's listed
Built in 1868 at a cost of $5,000, this two-story church on the corner of Atkinson and Main Streets in Pataskala serves the Presbyterian congregation organized in 1837. That group first met in a log house in Lime Township, then used a frame building from 1852 until the present church was finished. The church was dedicated in 1870, and its bell was hung in 1873. Its Gothic Revival character shows in pointed arched stained glass windows, buttresses and an off-center spiralled bell tower with steeple. Stone facing added in 1930 covers the original brick, and a social hall and Sunday school wing was built in 1969, though the interior remains intact. A manse sits behind it. The building was listed because it is a strong local example of a style widely used for mid-nineteenth century churches, and because the Presbyterians were the earliest of the town's three major religious groups, with this the largest and most distinctive of their churches.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is a prime example of mid-19th century Gothic Revival church design, with pointed arched windows, buttresses and a spiralled corner bell tower. It is also significant for its place in the community's religious history. The Presbyterian congregation was the earliest of the three major religions established in Pataskala, and this building is its largest and most architecturally distinct church.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 83004323, listed November 14, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Atkinson and Main Sts., Pataskala |
|---|---|
| County | Licking County |
| Listed | November 14, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83004323 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a church; exterior in good condition and interior in excellent condition, with the interior described as intact. Stone facing was added over the original brick in 1930, and a social hall and Sunday school wing was added in 1969. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.98894, -83.02687 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 83004323.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14716774
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.